Well, I own a shotgun, 12 gauge tactical pump. Let's not forget the efficiency of the shotgun in the effect that it can fire slug rounds as well as shot. Also knock down value is something to consider. most big handguns (.45, .44, .357...etc) have decent knock down power, but you have to get close with them. Also, rifles are great at a distance but I agree that shotguns are the way to go for most purposes due to there universal uses (hunting, defending your stuff from zombies...bikers...mutants...etc.) and just plain fun to shoot. I would not discount the .22 rifle either! According to the Zombie Survival Guide, it's exceptional in dealing with zombies due to the low ammo cost and weight, it is HIGHLY accurate and when you shot a zombie in the head...the bullet will pierce the initial skull but instead of exiting the back of the skull it will just rattle around and make the brain mush. Also, .22 rifles are light weight and anyone can shoot one.

So, my advice...gather yourselves a .22 rifle, a 12 gauge shotgun with AMPLE ammo, a good melee (hand-to-hand) device. I prefer a short axe or entrenching tool myself.

So, my advice...gather yourselves a .22 rifle, a 12 gauge shotgun with AMPLE ammo, a good melee (hand-to-hand) device. I prefer a short axe or entrenching tool myself.

.22 rounds are lightweight, and fired at a decent speed, and should not be discounted, but I think being sure you put down the zombie would be very important. For that you are going to want a round with more energy.

If there are hordes of zombie squirrels, groundhogs, or other such varmints running around, a .22 is going to be your very best friend.

Lightweight but effective armor is something I am working on for one of the followup articles. Some people I know who do SCA have this kydex stuff that is plain amazing. If you were going to be in close quarters with zombies, it would be THE STUFF. It is lightweight, but it would easily protect from bites.

Even a heavy leather jacket would provide good protection to the arms and shoulders, which are going to be bite magnets. Still, we are talking about humans (rotting, infected corpses of them) so trying to get all clad up like a clam is not a good idea. They will pry you out of the steel clamshell.

While I agree, armor is a must...the type of armor is something to consider. Shark chain, the chain mail type armor used with shark photographers, can be very effective. Light weight and very durable...if it can take a tiger shark bite it can take a zombie bite no problem! The only flaw it has, all the weight is on your shoulders. Now even though it's VERY light, wearing that for 6 - 8 hours can be exhausting even to the armor wearing veteran. Bear in mine also, that most risen dead (except for the freshly dead) have had serious muscle deterioration so most won't be able to bite through a thick jacket. However, I realize that in every zombie movie most of our flesh resembles something a kin to butter in strength and consistency armor is probably going to be one of your best friends.

Funny how we're talking about flamethrowers today, George Carlin had a pretty funny shpeel about flamethrowers: What, did someone think "I want to set that @$$h0le on fire, but I really don't want to walk ALL THE WAY over there. If there was just a way I could do it from here, you know, kind of THROW the fire on them, , I need something that can THROW FLAMES onto them, some kind of FLAME THROWER. . yea, , that's what I need. . "

« Last Edit: June 23, 2008, 11:00:52 PM by ghouck »

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Raw bacon is GREAT! It's like regular bacon, only faster, and it doesn't burn the roof of your mouth!

Andrew, once again you have put together an article designed to help the American populace deal with yet another threat--but what about a 'vampire plan'? Or better yet, 'A Vampire Girl Plan'--cause if vamps begin to break out, all the vamp girls will dress up in 'Bratz'-like fashions, and the geekboys will give themselves willingly...no way to defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of protecting yer hemoglobin! So--I think you need to start working on this--and defend the lives/necks of the world.

A 'Werewolf' plan? Lots of silver and Kibbles 'n' Bits. Oh, and extra fire hydrants in all the right places.